The most unloved man in U.S. hiking circles is Bill Bryson, who wrote a funny book called "A Walk in the Woods" that infuriated backpackers from Portland, Maine, to Portland, Ore., when it appeared about 10 years ago. Bryson and his boyhood pal, Stephen Katz, took off to trek the Appalachian Trail and had the worst time ever, what with bugs, bears, rain, sore feet and all the other afflictions of outdoor life. More »

Bridging dance and friendship, Japan and Hawai'i will celebrate "the legacy of hula" at the 8th annual Hula Ho'olauna Aloha July 11 to 12. The two-day weekend festival showcasing hula's rich culture and customs from both sides of the Pacific will feature an exhibition by local and Japanese halau beginning 10 a.m. Saturday at Ala Moana Center's centerstage. More than 20 groups from Japan will perform. More »

With all due respect to author H.G. Wells, there are no time machines. Except for the ones we rented recently on a trip back in time to Yosemite National Park. In authentic Model Ts or Model As from the early 20th century, visitors can experience Yosemite as their grandparents or great-grandparents did, bouncing along rutted one-lane dirt roads, splashing through streams or waking up echoes as you pull up to the historic Wawona or Ahwahnee hotels. More »